Former allies of Donald Trump have joined those calling out the president after his comments on the deaths of Robert and Michele Reiner.
In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump suggested that their deaths were due to Robert Reiner’s "paranoia" and “obsession” with him.
The post drew immediate outcry on social media, as critics, including former MAGA stalwart Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned the president’s words as “inappropriate” and “disgraceful,” and called for the “dreadful” message to be taken down.
“Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS,” Trump wrote Monday.
The 78-year-old and his wife, 68, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home Sunday evening. The couple’s son Nick Reiner has since been taken into custody.
The tone of Trump’s post varied wildly, describing the situation as “very sad” before going on to blast the actor — who has known to have been a vocal critic of the current administration.
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!” the president wrote.
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment on the president’s post and the backlash to it.
At a press conference the Oval Office later Monday, the president doubled down on his remarks, telling reporters "I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned.
“He said...that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia, you know, the Russia hoax, he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career wise,” Trump continued.
“He became like a deranged person, Trump derangement syndrome. So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country."
Prior to his death, Reiner had consistently questioned Trump and his ability to serve as president, telling Variety in 2017 that he was “the single-most unqualified human-being to ever assume the Presidency of the United States.”
“He is mentally unfit. Not only does he not understand how government works, he has no interest in trying to find out how it works,” Reiner told the outlet, following the release of his biopic “LBJ.”
In October, during an interview with MSNBC, Reiner even issued a call to action to high-profile figures against Trump, saying it was “our job now” to push back against the president’s actions, following the mobilization of the National Guard in multiple major cities across the country and Trump’s attacks on free speech.
“It’s beyond McCarthy era-esque,” Reiner said. “That feels quaint compared to what’s going on in America right now. The Hollywood community is very much aware of their First Amendment rights being infringed. So, we’re well aware of what’s happening. “
“But our job now, as communicators, is to start communicating to the rest of the country, to let them know what is going to happen to them,” he added.
Reiner was a stanch Democrat and was very active in politics, hosting fundraisers and campaigning for progressive causes throughout his lengthy career. He co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which challenged California’s ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8.
He also chaired the campaign for Prop 10, funding early childhood development services through a tobacco tax. In 2006 he was tipped to run for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger, but later declined due to personal reasons. He endorsed Joe Biden for president in the 2020 presidential election.
Reiner’s engagement in activism stemmed from his family; with his father Carl Reiner a fierce opponent of McCarthyism, while his mother, Estelle Reiner, protested the Vietnam War.
High profile names in politics and media also hit out at Trump over his comments.
“Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak. This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X.
“Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.”
“This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President,” added British TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote on X.
GOP rep. Thomas Massie wrote: “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.”
“This is a sick man,” added California Governor Gavin Newsom, in response to the post.
Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, appeared to become choked up as she remembered Reiner as an “engaged” advocate for social justice and defender of democracy.
“This is a tragedy, not just for the family, but for all who knew and loved him,” she said. “And for the President of the U.S. to make this about him, and a way to attack Rob Reiner, because he exercised his American right to speak up with what he disagreed with is shameful, is disgraceful, and out of all the disgusting things that Donald Trump has done, this is right up there.”
Others pointed to the difference in how Reiner himself had reacted to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this year. “The president’s Truth Social post about the Reiners’ horrific deaths is quite a contrast from how Rob Reiner reacted to the murder of Charlie Kirk,” wrote CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
In an interview with Morgan following Kirk’s death, Reiner described the incident as “beyond belief.” “That should never happen to anybody, I don’t care what your political beliefs are, that should never happen to anyone,” he said.
The bodies of Reiner and his wife were reportedly discovered by their daughter Romy, who lives nearby. The deaths are being investigated as homicides.
Nick Reiner, the celebrity couple’s son, was arrested at 9.15 p.m. Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records show, and is being held on $4 million bail.
The 32-year-old has been charged with a felony but no other details were immediately available.
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